Apparatus for controlling a beam of coherent electro-magnetic waves

ABSTRACT

Focusing means in the path of a beam of coherent electromagnetic waves focus the beam on a focal plane. The beam intensity varies across the diameter. First transparent refractive means in the path of the more intense portion of the beam transmits the waveforms but retards their phase. Second transparent refractive means in the path of the less intense portion of the beam transmits the less intense waveforms but retards their phase an amount different from that of the first refractive means. Interference at the focal plane between the phase changed waveforms alters the original intensity profile of the waveforms. By controlling the relative phase changes the intensity pattern can be altered to be substantially uniform across the beam with only small loss of energy.

Byway/5n F F' ii 1 '7 )4 F2 United States Patent Haskal [541 APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A BEAM OF COHERENT ELECTRO- MAGNETIC WAVES [72] Inventor: Hahn Hnskal, Brookline, Mass.

[73] Assignee: Honeywell Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.

[22] Filed: Dec. 30, 1969 [2]] App]. No.: 889,054

on 3,705,758 t6] Dec. 12,1972

Primary Examiner-Ronald L Wibert Assistant Examiner-V. P. lkfirnvl Attorney-Fred Jacob and Raid I. Reiling [$7] ABM Focusing means in the pandabeam ot'eoherent electro-magnetic waves focus the beam on a focal plane. The beam intensity wzies across the diameter. First transparent refraeti're means in the path of the more intense portion of the beam transmits the waveforms but retards theirpkme. Second transparent refractive means in the path of the less intense portion of the beam transmits the la intense waveforms but retards their phase an amonet difierent from that of the first refractive means. Ezserference at the focal plane between the phase changed waveforms alters the original intensity profile d die waveforms. By controiiing the'reiative phase annges the intensity pattern can be altered to be snietantially uniform acres the beam with only small load energy.

IZClaimsJDmeingFigures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus for controlling variations in intensity within beams of coherent electro-magnetic waves. and particularly to systems that require laser beams having predetermined crossaectional intensity profiles such as thermo-rnagnetic recording systems. flying spot scanner systems, and machining systems.

In such systems it is desirable for a laser beam to focus upon a focal plane with a uniformly intense crosssection or with some other predetermined cross-sectional intensity profile. This is necessary because the more intense portions of the beam may be the only ones that can reliably exceed the threshold required for performing the desired function. The less intense portions may produce spurious responses. In thermo-magnetic or flying spot recording systems the absence of such variations improves the resolution and pennits a tighter packing density. In machining operations it may be desirable for the intensity to be greatest at the edges of the beam so that the heating is isothermal.

For these purposes a laser beam creates problems because it exhibits a Gaussian profile at the lowest order mode. This requires re-shaping. Such re-shaping has been accomplished by utilizing only the most intense portion of the beam and absorbing the remainder. Such absorption is wasteful of the energy in the beam. In many cases. 90 percent of the laser power transmitted by the system is lost. Losses of only 60 percent have been reported for some of the improved systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention eliminates these deficiencies and reduces the losses. According to the feature of the invention the more intense portions of the beam and less intense portions of the beam are each phase retarded at different rates so that when they are focused upon the focal plane the resulting interference forms a modified intensity pattern.

According to another feature of the invention respective refractive means in the path of the more intense portion and the less intense portion of the beam perform the retardation so as to change the phases. Preferably. the refractive means transmit substantially all the energy in the waveforms passing through them and any energy absorbed by the refractive means is ab sorbed in virtually the same proportion in both of the refractive means.

According to another feature of the invention the beam of coherent elxtro-magnetic waves is a laser beam and the refractive me ns include respective homogeneous materials having different refractive indices with respect to the laser beam.

According to still another feature of the invention at least one of the materials comprises an electro-optic material whose refractive index varies according to an electric field across it. Further. electrode means form an electric field in the electro-optic material so as to change the refractive index and control the phase "change on the basis of the electric field and thereby achieve a given intensity pattern.

According to still another feature of the invention materials surround each other and the electrode means include electrodes at the interface between the materials.

According to still another feature of the invention the sensor means sense the relative intensities of the beam at different points of the beam and wrrect or control the voltage of the electrodes on the basis of the measured intensities.

According to still another feature of the invention compensating means have a refractive portion so that in the unenergized condition of the electrodes the refractive means together with the compensating means impart no net phase change to the waveforms. Under these circumstances the beam is substantially unchanged when no voltage is applied to the electrodes.

By virtue of the invention electromagnetic wave beams may have their cross-sectional intensity profiles changed with minimum energy loss. The invention permits effective utilization of approximately percent of the original energy.

These and other features of the invention are pointed out in the claims. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become obvious from the following detailed description when read in light of the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a recording system embodying features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating various cross-sectional intensities of the beam at the focal plane in FIG. 1; and

H6. 3 is a section 3-3 of the filter in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1 a laser 10 of an optical memory system 12 forms a beam 14. The latter is modulated by a modulator I5 and ultimately focused upon a recording medium 16. The recording medium may for example be a photographic film. It may also constitute a planar plate of Manganese Biilmuth (MnBi) which is magnetized across its thickness in one direction. The beam is normally used to record information on the recording medium 16, when it is composed of Manganese Bismuth, by beam heating it with the laser beam until it reaches the Curie point temperature. At this time, the heated spot loses its magnetization. While the area is cooling again the fringe magnetization of the surrounding areas re-magnetizes it in the other direction. Such re-magnetization may be sensed optically to retrieve information thus recorded, in a binary manner at a number of locations on the recording medium. To erase the information the spot is again heatcd to the Curie point and allowed to cool in the presence of an external magnetic field.

The beam 14 emerging from the laser 10 and the modulator 15 has the Gaussian cross-sectional intensity illustrated by the curve A in FIG. 2. Under the: circumstances the intensity is greatest at the center and falls off gradually to the edges of the beam. lfsuch a source were used for thermomagnetic writing. slight chmges in the threshold level or power level might produce large changes in spot size. It might also cause local damage to the recording medium 16.

more can According to the invention a beam expander 18 enlarges the beam while maintaining its relative intensity levelofthecentralpom'lhelobesarethussubstann'ally inefl'ective to prodace Curie point writing upon profile. The beam then enters an electro-optic phase the medium 16. These side lobes contain approximatefilter 20 alsoshown inFlG. 3.The filteris composed of ly percent of the total energy and thereby leave ruba central cykdrical, transparent, electro-optic crystal 5 stantially the remaining energy within the central por- 22 and a transparent medium 24. The crystalnisarrangedtobecoaxialwiththebeam l4 and to lie in the path of the beam's more intense central portion. The less intense beam portion passes through surrounding medium 24. The medium 24 is composed of a transparent material such as glass, or liquid held in tion of the focused beam. Because the refractivecrystal 22 and medium 24 and the compensating device 32 as well as the focusing and beam spreading focusing device 36 and beam mirror 34 absorb only ap proximately 2 percent of the total energy in the beam, approximately 80 percent of the energy may be exa transparent container. it may also constitute a crystal, pected to remain withinthe central portion of the beam or simply the air surrounding the crystal 22. The crystal atthe focal plane. Non-crystalline electro-optic materi- 22 and the medium 24 exhibit respective indices of Is ah which change the phase of light waves passing refraction thatexert respective phase retardation to the through them in dependence upon an electric field apcoherent waves. Examples of a suitable electro-optic plied them may be substituted for the electro-optic crystal 22 is potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP). Lithium niohate (LillbO is another example.

crystal 22. The medium 24 and crystal 2 need not be coextensive in length.

At the interface between the crystal 22 and medium The beam splitting mirror 34 reflects approximately 24 a pair of electrodes 26 and 23 control the refractive index of the crystal 22. The electrodes 26 and 28 may be thin films mounted on the surface of crystal 22. In RES. 1 and 3 the thicknesses of the electrodes are exl% of the energy or pcrcer in the beam emerging from thefilter 26 tcform atesrayt A lens 41 focuses the latter onto an opaque mm: 42 having a pair of pinholes 44 md 46 located at two points in the ray. The location aggerated for clarity. When an electrode control 30 25 corresponds totwo po'mtsinthe beam and to the points changes the voltage across the electrodes 26 and 28 the electrostatic field across the electro-optic crystal changes. Th: changes the index of refraction of the crystal 22 and hence changes the phase retardation of the coherent magnefie waves within the more intense portion of the laser beam. The crystal 22 is about 6 inches long to permit the voltages across the electrodes to control the refractive index over a wide range.

The medium 24 retards the phase of the less intense outside portion of the beam at a different rate than the crystal 22. The expanded and phase filtered beam passes through a compensating plate 32 and a beam splitting mirror 34 that deflects 1 percent and passes 99 percent of the elittg in the beam. it then passes through a focming system 35 that focuses the beam on the medium 16 as required by the readlwrite control 38 of the writing system according to the invention. Deflection means not shown deflect the beam to the desired location. The read/write control 33 also regulates the outputoi' the laser 10 by means of the module tor 15.

At the focal plane in the recording medium 16 the interference between the electr c-magnetic waves phase retarded bythecrystalnandthoee phase retarded by cenmrofthebeamandtheoutsideofthebeamsothat the medium 24 interfere with each other to alter the intensity profile of the beam. This interference in the wave creates energy cancellation in some circular bands and energy reinforcement in others. As a result,

marked X and Y inthe curve B of FIG. 2. Light emergin; through these pinholes passes to a pair of photodeteeters $8 and 50. A differential amplifier 52 compares the relative output of the photodetecters.

By senm'ng the light irsensity at the points X and Y with the pinholes 44 and 45 it is possible to determine the general characteris ic of the curve B. The electrode control 39 detecu the diierential output and varies the control voltage across the electrodes 26 and 28. This 35 changes the refracu've of the crystal 22 and its 45 ii!!!) the @0380: 30.

The compensating device 32 is composed of a transparent plate 53 and a transparent thin film coating 54 coaxialwiththebeamltsefiectistovarythedifferences in phase retardation between the more intense whennovoltageexistsacrosstheelectrodesfiand the beam intensity profile corresponds to the emerging from the laser 10.

The electrode control 3% may be composed of a d.c.

the intensity panemofthebamisalteredAnti-reflec- 55 voltage source whose output varies in dependence tion coatings 39 cover each face encountered by the beam. Thickness of the coating are exaggerated for clarity. These coatings keep the total overall reflective energy lossdoontoabouflpercent.

upon the difierential input. and upon a preset input-tooutput voltage ratio control setting. Various configuratiomot'the electrodesmaybe usedto obtainparticular intensity profiles. 0 According to one embodiment of the invention the so The invention furnishes an improved system that electrode coatrolwsetstheindea of refraction of the crystalnrehmretothemedinmsoastoprcducean intensitypatterncorregrondhtgtothecnrveBinFlG. 2. Because ofthe int-szferenceatthefocalplane, the curveBformaaeecaalportionw-iderthanthebeam .lt includes twosidelobea whose energy levelisapproximately 15 db down from the maximum energy comrolstheinteneityprofieofalaaer beamwithmhaimumenergylosafiypropervariationof the relative refractive that is by varying the icdeaofcryresliiwiththevcltagefromelectrodecontml39,otherprofilesmaybeachieved. Fcrexample, a curve such as C may be obtained. Such anirtensityprofileisaaefalinmachiningtoinhibitthe effectol'heatlossatthe edgeoftheeutandlhereby derive an isothermal circular heat profile.

By obtaining the intensity profile of curve B in the system of FIG. I. the invention furnishes a recording system that records spot sizes of substantially constant size without danger of overexposing the center.

By making the inherent refractive indices of the materials in crystal 22 and medium 24 sufficiently different without application of voltages to the electrodes the phase filter may operate as a passive device. Such a passive device may be very short because long length of the crystal 22 is not necesary for obtaining materials comprises an electro-optie material whose refractive index varies according to an electric field,

the wide refractive index changes necessary in the active filter. In fact the passive filter may be constructed like the compensator 32.

The change in the width of the beam between that of curve A to that ofcurve B has the advantage of ofl'ering improved reading capability with the beam. in recording systems like thermomagnetic or flying spot recording it is possible to read optically with the beam. How- .ever, it is then desirable to read with a beam whose width is somewhat smaller than the spot which has been recorded. By attenuating the overall intensity of the original beam with the modulator or a partly transparent plate and adjusting the electrode control to produce an output corresponding to the curve A, the beam 14 can be used to read as well as write. An optical analyzer in the focusing system can be used to analyze the writing.

While embodiments of the invention have been described in detail it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from its spirit scope.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for controlling a beam of coherent electromagnetic waves whose intensity varies across the beam comprising,

first transparent refractive means in the path of the more intense portion of the beam for transmitting the waveforms in the more intense portion but changing their phase,

second transparent refractive means in the path'of the less intense portion of the beam for transmitting the waves in the less intense portion of the beam and changing their phase an amount different from that of said first refractive means, and

focusing means other than said first or second refractive means located in the path of both the more intense and less intense portion of the beam for focusing the beam on a focal plane,

whereby interference at the focal plane between the phase-changed waveforms alters the intensity pattern of the waveforms.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein each of said refractive means transmit substantially all the energy in the waveforms passing through the respective refractive means and any energy absorbed by said refractive means is absorbed in virtually the same proportion in both of said refractive means.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the beam of coherent electromagnetic waves is a laser beam and wherein said refractive means each includes a transparent material. said materials having different refractive indices with respect to the laser beam.

and further comprising electrode means for forming an electric field in said electro-optic material, whereby the refractive index and hence the phase change of said material can be controlled on the basis of the electric field and whereby the cross-sectional intensity pattern of the waveform at the focal plane can be varied to achieve a given intensity pattern. I

5. Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein the more intense portion of the beam is in the center and one of said materials is aligned with the center of the beam and the other of said materials surrounds the first of said materials, the first of said materials being electro-optic, said electrode means including an electrode at the interface between said materials, and control means for controlling the voltage of said electrode.

6. Apparatus as in claim 5 further comprising compensating means in the path of said beam, said compensating means having a center refractive portion and a surrounding refractive portion, said refractive portions having respective indices of refraction to reverse the phase changes imparted by said first refractive means and said second refractive means so that in the unenergized condition of the electrodes said refractive means and said compensating means impart no net phase change to said waveforms.

3 7. Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said control means include sensing means extending in the path of the bean for sensing the relative intensities of two points in the beam, and means connected to said sensing and said electrode means for adjusting the voltage of said electrode means in response to the relative intensities sensed by said sensing means.

8. The method of controlling a beam of coherent electromagnetic waves whose intensity varies across the beam, which comprises changing the phase of waveforms in the more intense portion of the beam with first refractive means, changing the phase of the waveforms in another portion of the beam an amount difi'crent from that of the first refractive means with second refractive means, and then focusing the so changed beam onto a focal plane by means other than said refractive means so that interference at the focal plane between the phase changed waveforms alters the intensity pattern of the waveforms.

9. The method as in claim 8 further comprising the step of varying the refractive index of one of the refracfive means so as to change the interference pattern at the focal plane and produce a predetermined intensity pattern.

10. The method as in claim 8 further comprising the step of sensing the relative intensities of two points in the beam and on the basis of the relative intensities controlling the refractive index of one of said refractive means so as to change the phase of the beams of the waveforms passing therethrough to produce a predetermined intensity pattern.

11. Apparatus for controlling a beam of coherent electromagnetic waves whose intensity varies across the beam comprising:

first transparent ref-active means in the path of the more intense portion of the beam for transmitting the waveforms in the more intense portion but changing their phase.

e .a rm-r ho.

second transparent means in the path of the less intense portion of the beam for tram mitting the waves in the less intense portion of the beam and changing their phase an amount differcnt from that ofsaid first refractive means,

least one of said refractive means comprising an electro-optic matcriai whose refractive index van'es according to an electric field,

electrode means for forming an electric field in said electro-optical material, whereby the refractive index and hence the phase change of said material can be controlled on the basis of the electric field,

compensating means in the path of said beam. said compensating means having a center refractive portion and a surrounding refractive portion, said refractive portions having respective indices of refraction to reverse the phase changes imparted bysaidfimrefractivemeansandsaidsecond refractivemeamaothstintheunenergizajoonditionoftheciectrodcmeanesaidfnstandsecond refractive means and said compensating means impart no net phase change to said waveforms. and

focusing means in the path of both the more intense and less intense portion of the beam for forming the beam on a focal plane.

13. Apparatus as in claim 11 further including control means having sensing means extending in the path of the beam for sensing the reiafive intensifies of two points in the beam, and means connected to said sensing and said electrode means for adjusting the voltage of said electrode means in response to the relative intensities sensed by said sensing means. 

1. Apparatus for controlling a beam of coherent electromagnetic waves whose intensity varies across the beam comprising, first transparent refractive means in the path of the more intense portion of the beam for transmitting the waveforms in the more intense portion but changing their phase, second transparent refractive means in the path of the less intense portion of the beam for transmitting the waves in the less intense portion of the beam and changing their phase an amount different from that of said first refractive means, and focusing means other than said first or second refractive means located in the path of both the more intense and less intense portion of the beam for focusing the beam on a focal plane, whereby interference at the focal plane between the phasechanged waveforms alters the intensity pattern of the waveforms.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein each of said refractive means transmit substantially all the energy in the waveforms passing through the respective refractive means and any energy absorbed by said refractive means is absorbed in virtually the same proportion in both of said refractive means.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the beam of coherent electromagnetic waves is a laser beam and wherein said refractive means each includes a transparent material, said materials having different refractive indices with respect to the laser beam.
 4. An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein one of said materials comprises an electro-optic material whose refractive index varies according to an electric field, and further comprising electrode means for forming an electric field in said electro-optic material, whereby the refractive index and hence the phase change of said material can be controlled on the basis of the electric field and whereby the cross-sectional intensity pattern of the waveform at the focal plane can be varied to achieve a given intensity pattern.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein the more intense portion of the beam is in the center and one of said materials is aligned with the center of the beam and the other of said materials surrounds the first of said materials, the first of said materials being electro-optic, said electrode means including an electrode at the interface between said materials, and control means for controlling the voltage of said electrode.
 6. Apparatus as in claim 5 further comprising compensating means in the path of said beam, said compensating means having a center refractive portion and a surrounding refractive portion, said refractive portions having respective indices of refraction to reverse the phase changes imparted by said first refractive means and said second refractive means so that in the unenergized condition of the electrodes said refractive means and said compensating means impart no net phase change to said waveforms.
 7. Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said control means include sensing means extending in the path of the bean for sensing the relative intensities of two points in the beam, and means connected to said sensing and said electrode means for adjusting the voltage of said electrode means in response to the relative intensities sensed by said sensing means.
 8. The method of controlling a beam of coherent electromagnetic waves whose intensity varies across the beam, which comprises changing the phase of waveforms in the more intense portion of the beam with first refractive means, changing the phase of the waveforms in another portion of the beam an amount different from that of the first refractive means with second refractive means, and then focusing the so changed beam onto a focal plane by means other than said refractive means so that interference at the focal plane between the phase changed waveforms alters the intensity pattern of the waveforms.
 9. The method as in claim 8 further comprising the step of varying the refractive index of one of the refractive means so as to change the interference pattern at the focal plane and produce a predetermined intensity pattern.
 10. The method as in claim 8 further comprising the step of sensing the relative intensities of two points in the beam and on the basis of the relative intensities controlling the refractive index of one of said refractive means so as to change the phase of the beams of the waveforms passing therethrough to produce a predetermined intensity pattern.
 11. Apparatus for controlling a beam of coherent electromagnetic waves whose intensity varies across the beam comprising: first transparent refractive means in the path of the more intense portion of the beam for transmitting the waveforms in the more intense portion but changing their phase, second transparent refractive means in the path of the less intense portion of the beam for transmitting the waves in the less intense portion of the beam and changing their phase an amount different from that of said first refractive means, at least one of said refractive means comprising an electro-optic material whose refractive index varies according to an electric field, electrode means for forming an electric field in said electro-optical material, whereby the refractive index and hence the phase change of said material can be controlled on the basis of the electric field, compensating means in the path of said beam, said compensating means having a center refractive portion and a surrounding refractive portion, said refractive portions having respective indices of refraction to reverse the phase changes imparted by said first refractive means and said second refractive means so that in the unenergized condition of the electrode means said first and second refractive means and said compensating means impart no net phase change to said waveforms, and focusing means in the path of both the more intense and less intense portion of the beam for focusing the beam on a focal plane.
 12. Apparatus as in claim 11 further including control means having sensing means extending in the path of the beam for sensing the relative intensities of two points in the beam, and means connected to said sensing and said electrode means for adjusting the voltage of said electrode means in response to the relative intensities sensed by said sensing means. 